Program Description | Admission | Degree Requirements | Courses
Program Description
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice is designed to produce students of crime and justice who possess (1) a deep and extensive awareness of the body of knowledge in the field of criminal justice and, (2) the intellectual and methodological skills necessary for the continuing process of discovery and understanding of crime and justice related issues. The graduate should be capable of integrative and analytical thinking, competent at transmitting knowledge, able to engage in various accepted modes of research, and should possess skills in problem-solving.
To accomplish this, the College of Criminal Justice has a faculty of over 40 diverse scholars committed to the study of crime and justice issues. The curriculum includes courses that provide theoretical and applied knowledge of the phenomena of crime and criminal justice. In addition to the demonstration of excellence in the classroom, students are expected to engage in research in accordance with personal specialized interests beyond specified courses.
Through the combined efforts of faculty and students, the Doctor
of Philosophy program in Criminal Justice produces students capable of making
contributions to criminal justice through the academic and applied components of
the discipline. The curriculum is designed to ensure that graduates are well
equipped to participate in criminological positions emphasizing research,
theory, law, and administration.
Admission
- A master’s degree in Criminal Justice or an allied field.
- Test scores from the Graduate Record Examination
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts for all academic work. Grades must show evidence of the ability to do doctoral level work.
- Three letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty who are sufficiently acquainted with the student to comment on potential for success in the doctoral program.
- An original essay as described in the doctoral follow up application form.
- Foreign students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless they have completed a degree in the United States. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) is required.
- A current resume or vita.
- In some instances a personal interview may be requested.
A holistic review of each student’s application file will be completed on a competitive basis.
Degree Requirements
Plan 1 - PhD in Criminal Justice